Can I bring back nutmeg from Grenada to the U.S.?
 

I'm in Grenada right now and we've had some wonderful dishes with fresh nutmeg. I bought some to take home and then realized I might not be able to bring them back to the U.S. Does anyone have experience with bringing home nutmeg and ground spices from the Caribbean? We've never done it so I don't know.

Thanks for any help.

I believe so.


https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...14cGtibA%3D%3D

Thanks ekscrunchy. I had looked at that site, too, but as it didn't specifically say nutmeg I wasn't sure.

It's been several years since we were in Grenada, but, I brought home several of those little gift boxes with several spices inside that I purchased in the market.

I did have to have them checked when I went through Customs. No hassles though. They just opened a couple of them up and looked to see what was inside. They didn't open the individual packets or anything.

Thanks JeanH. I have one of those gift boxes plus I bought about 10 nutmegs. We've had wonderful nutmeg ice cream I'm looking forward to trying to make at home. I'll definitely declare them and keep them handy in my carry-on while going through Customs.

I brought back nutmegs which were still in their shells as the person at the nutmeg plant told me they can last 10 years unopened, plus mace which is expensive back home (which is not the US though). I also purchased alot of whole cinnamon, cloves and allspice berries.

I've brought back nutmeg from St.Lucia with no problems. I declared that I'd brought in chocolate and spices and packed them in my checked luggage.
Sailed through customs without any checks

Thanks everyone. We traveled home yesterday, transiting through Miami. On the Customs Declaration Form I wasn't sure how to fill out the question asking if we had food so I left it blank and asked the immigration officer at passport control if I should answer yes. He said that would be best and so I checked "yes" on the form. When we went through customs the officer asked what we had. I told him spices and a bunch of nutmeg. He said no problem and sent us on our way. In all probability I now have a lifetime supply of nutmeg! Well, unless we go really wild with making nutmeg ice cream.

Hi Sharon,
Glad to hear that you had no problems bringing in the spices and nutmeg.
How was your vacation? Will you write a trip report?

Hi sassy! I'm a bit embarrassed to write a trip report as we mostly sat on the beach and read. It'll be Fodor's shortest trip report. We arrived, we read, we left. The end. But we did fall in love with the island so perhaps I can write up a little something.

Grenada doesn't get much coverage so even just a little note about where you stayed would be nice. Oh, and tell me about the beach..it's always about the beach for me! :)